Everyone yearns for a lush and vibrant yard that wows guests. However, as many budding gardeners and landscapers discover, this can be hard work. Knowing the right tricks is essential for helping you to save time and energy in your yard. Below are just a few horticultural hacks you’ll wish you knew earlier.
Water wisely
When should you water your garden? Many people make the mistake of sprinkling their lawn and watering plants at midday. However, on a very hot day, much of the water will often evaporate before it has a chance to be absorbed by the plant.
Watering in the evening can also cause problems. Damp conditions and lack of sunlight can cause fungal diseases to thrive, which can kill off your plants.
So when is the best time to water your plants? Early in the morning is usually the optimum time. It will be cool enough that your plants will absorb most of the water, but the sun will stop mould from setting in.
Don’t want to get up early every morning in summer to water your lawn. Automated sprinklers could be a solution worth looking into, allowing you to lie in while your lawn waters itself.
Feed plants
Plants don’t just benefit from water but also nutrients. The amount of nutrients that a plant receives is dependent on the soil quality. This is why using fertiliser can be worthwhile.
To determine what fertilizer you should be using, consider doing a soil test to find out which nutrients your yard is lacking. You can then look for fertilizers that are rich in these nutrients to help support your plants. Many fertilizers contain chemicals, but others are organic.
Use mulch
Laying down mulch can help plants in beds and pots to grow better. Mulch is a layer of organic matter - which could include wood chips, straw or compost.
Mulch helps plant growth by helping to trap moisture in the soil, prevent weed growth and also keep soil cool in extreme heat (it can also ward off frost in cooler temperatures). You can buy packs of mulch, or you can make your own mulch out of garden waste like leaves and plant cuttings.
Embrace native plants
Some plants can be very difficult to grow in certain climates. They may not be used to the temperature or may require a different soil or more rainfall.
Choosing plants that naturally grow in your local area can often make maintenance easier. Such plants are known as ‘native plants’ - chances are that if they naturally grow in the wild, you won’t need to put in much work to help them grow around your yard.
Take your time to explore different types of native plants in your area. This could include looking into native grasses for lawns, and choosing native trees when looking into tree planting.
Prune properly
Pruning plants properly can encourage healthy flower growth. A popular pruning method is ‘deadheading’, which involves getting rid of dead or faded flowers or leaves, encouraging plants to redirect their energy to the healthier leaves and flowers.
The best time to begin pruning is after plants start initially blooming. You can use secateurs to do this. If you have lots of plants in your yard, pruning could get quite time-consuming - consider instead focusing on a few select plants.
Choose the right mower
When it comes to efficiently mowing your lawn, choosing the right mower is essential. Should you choose an electric mower? Or is a petrol mower the better option?
It depends on the size and gradient of your lawn. Electric mowers are quieter and more eco-friendly, but are typically better suited to smaller, flatter lawns. Petrol mowers meanwhile provide more power to take on larger sloped lawns.
There are other features that could also be worth looking into when choosing a mower. Some mowers come with an adjustable cutting height, while others are able to collect grass as they cut. Zero-turn mowers are meanwhile very agile and suitable for lawns with obstacles.
Invest in a weed eater
A weed eater - also known as a string trimmer - is a useful additional accessory to own if you have a lawn. It uses a fast rotating plastic string to cut through grass and is an excellent tool for tidying up the edges and corners of your lawn where a mower can’t reach.
Most gardeners choose an electric weed eater - a lot of modern options are cordless and they are much lighter than petrol weed eaters, making them easier to use. Choose a reliable brand that is likely to be more durable.
Add solar lights
Adding electric lighting to your yard can allow you to enjoy it after dark. However, traditional wired lighting can be difficult and sometimes dangerous to install.
Solar lighting doesn’t require running cables around your yard, allowing more flexibility as to where you place each light. The most common types of solar lighting are spike lights, which can be stuck into the ground, however you can also buy solar string lights and solar hanging lanterns.
Splash out on a pressure washer
Got a deck or a patio? Cleaning these hard surfaces manually with a brush can be an arduous task. As a result, many people let their patios and decks get covered in moss and mildew.
A pressure washer can make light work of cleaning your patio or deck. These machines use a high pressure hose to create a powerful jet of water that can blast away dirt and grime. Cleaning chemicals are also typically laid down first to help lift this dirt.
They’re effective and satisfying to use. However, it’s important that you select the right PSI (pounds per square inch) setting - this controls how powerful the jet is. For a concrete patio, a PSI of 2500 to 3000 is usually suitable, while a softwood deck requires only a PSI of 500 to 1200. If you select a PSI that is too powerful, you could risk causing damage to your deck or patio, so do your research first.